Trademark Registration and Enforcement in Mexico
We register your trademark with IMPI and defend it against third parties. In Mexico, whoever files first gets the registration, no matter who used the mark first.
Your brand is your most valuable asset
Your company name, logo and slogan are distinctive signs that identify your goods and services in the market. Without an IMPI registration, anyone can claim them and leave you without the right to use them.
Mexico follows a first-to-file rule: whoever registers a trademark with IMPI first obtains exclusive rights, regardless of who used it earlier. If your company already operates under its own name or logo, now is the time to protect it.
- Exclusive rights throughout Mexico
- A foundation for licensing, franchising or selling your brand
- A tool to stop imitations and infringement
- A registrable asset that adds value to your company
Trademark registration and enforcement before IMPI
Clearance and availability search
We review existing registrations to spot similar marks that could block your application or lead to conflicts. It's the first step before any filing.
Nice classification and class strategy
We identify which Nice class or classes your trademark should be filed in to cover every product and service your business offers.
Trademark application with IMPI
We prepare and file the complete application with the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), handling every formal requirement to avoid unnecessary office actions.
Office action responses
We draft and file technical responses to office actions, requests or rulings issued during the formal or substantive examination of your application.
Oppositions against third-party marks
If someone files for a trademark that could be confused with yours, we file an opposition within the legal deadline to keep it from being registered.
Declaration of use and renewals
We file the declaration of genuine use due three years after registration, as well as the 10-year renewal, so your exclusive rights stay in force.
Infringement and nullity actions
We represent trademark owners before IMPI in administrative infringement, nullity and cancellation proceedings when someone uses your mark without authorization or challenges your registration.
Counsel for foreign companies
We help international companies register their trademarks in Mexico, either by filing directly with IMPI or through WIPO's Madrid System.
How we register your trademark with IMPI
01
Clearance search
We review existing registrations for similar marks that could block your application before you invest in filing.
02
Mark type and class
We determine the best type of mark for you and the Nice class or classes it should be protected in.
03
Filing the application
We file the application with IMPI along with all required documents and handle payment of the official fees.
04
Tracking in Marca en Línea
We monitor your application through IMPI's online filing portal, Marca en Línea, and keep you posted on every update.
05
Formal examination and publication
IMPI confirms the application meets all formal requirements and publishes it in the Industrial Property Gazette, which opens the opposition period.
06
Substantive examination
IMPI assesses whether the mark is distinctive, not descriptive and not confusingly similar to existing registrations. We respond to any technical objection.
07
Registration and renewal
You receive a registration certificate valid for 10 years and renewable indefinitely. We keep track of your declaration of use and renewal deadlines for you.
What do you need to register your trademark?
IMPI requires some basic information and documents to process a registration. BE IP guides you through preparing each one.
- Applicant's full name, RFC (Mexican tax ID) and CURP (individuals), or articles of incorporation (companies)
- Legal representation, if filing through an authorized representative
- Applicable Nice class or classes
- Description of the goods or services to be protected
- Payment of IMPI's official fees
- Representation of the mark (text, image or both)
- Rules of use for the mark, if applicable
- Notarized power of attorney, if an outside representative is appointed
Trademark types in Mexico
Word mark
Made up solely of words, letters or numbers, with no specific graphic design.
Design mark
Consists only of a design or logo, with no wording.
Composite mark
Combines text and graphic elements into a single sign. It's the most common type in commercial practice.
Three-dimensional mark
Protects the three-dimensional shape of a product or its packaging that sets it apart from competitors.
Non-traditional marks
Include colors, sounds, holograms or scents that serve as unique identifiers of a company's goods or services.
Why trust BE IP with your trademark
Intellectual property is all we do. We know IMPI's examination criteria, the real timelines behind each procedure and the most effective strategies to protect your brand.
- Your brand as a strategic asset — We don't just register it: we help you understand its commercial value and structure licenses, franchises or assignments that turn it into a source of revenue.
- International reach — We know the Madrid System and national filing routes in other countries, and we can extend your trademark protection to the markets that matter to you.
- Experience with foreign companies — We have represented trademark owners from Mexico, the United States and China before IMPI. We work in both English and Spanish.
- A dedicated IP team — Intellectual property is our only practice. Every BE IP attorney is specifically trained in trademarks; it isn't just one more department in a general-practice firm.
Register your trademark before someone else does.
Every year, hundreds of brands go unprotected because their owners put off filing. In Mexico, whoever reaches IMPI first gets the registration, regardless of who used the mark first. If your company already operates under its own name, logo or slogan, find out today what protection you need. BE IP's attorneys can guide you in an initial consultation.
Trademark registration in Mexico: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to register a trademark with IMPI?
The full process before IMPI typically takes 4 to 6 months from filing to issuance of the registration certificate, provided there are no office actions, oppositions or substantive objections. If any of these come up, the timeline extends. A well-prepared application from day one is the best way to avoid delays.
How long is a trademark registration valid in Mexico?
A Mexican trademark registration is valid for 10 years from the filing date. It can be renewed indefinitely for equal terms, as long as renewal is requested within the legal deadline and genuine use of the mark is proven through the declaration of use due three years after registration.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Mexico?
The total cost includes IMPI's official fees, which depend on the Nice class you file in, plus attorney fees. Government fees are adjusted periodically based on Mexico's indexed unit of measure (UMA). At BE IP, you get a detailed quote before any filing begins, with no hidden costs.
Can I register a trademark if someone else is already using it?
Mexico follows a first-to-file system, not first-to-use. If the mark is not registered with IMPI, you can file for it regardless of who used it first. However, if the prior user can prove earlier use and bad faith, they could challenge your registration through a nullity action. That's why a clearance search before filing is strongly recommended.
What's the difference between a word mark and a composite mark?
A word mark consists only of words, letters or numbers, with no specific design, and protects the wording itself in any font. A composite mark combines text and a logo, and protects that specific combination. In practice, many companies register both versions to broaden their protection.
Can I register my trademark in other countries from Mexico?
Yes. Mexico is a member of WIPO's Madrid System, which lets you seek protection in multiple countries through a single, centralized application. You can also file directly with each country's national trademark office. At BE IP, we help you choose the right strategy based on your target markets and the type of mark you need to protect.
What happens if IMPI issues an office action during the process?
During formal or substantive examination, IMPI may issue office actions or requests that must be answered within the stated deadline, usually 2 months. If they aren't answered on time, the application may be dismissed. At BE IP, we draft and file the technical responses needed to overcome any objection and keep your application moving.
Which Nice class should I register my trademark in?
It depends on the goods or services your business offers. The Nice Classification groups goods and services into 45 classes. Choosing the right classes is essential for effective protection: filing in the wrong class, or in too few, can leave part of your business exposed. At BE IP, we review your business model to recommend the right class strategy.
English 
Spanish